Effect of learning to ski with an indoor skiing carpet compared to the real snow setting on alpine skiing technique, autotelic experience, and anxiety levels in university students: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The aim was to compare the effects of an alpine skiing learning intervention initiated in an indoor carpet setting (ICS) with the snow setting (SS) on the alpine skiing turn technique, state of anxiety, and autotelic experience. Thirty-four students (4 females) aged 18-37 years were randomly divided into indoor carpet skiing (ICSG; first two classes in an ICS, and the two last classes in the SS) or snow (all classes in the SS) groups. Statistically significant differences were only detected in the cognitive anxiety levels between both groups for the second day of the program and in the alpine skiing turn technique at the first day of practice in the SS for both groups, in favor of the ICSG in both cases (p < 0.05). The ICS seems to be a useful and effective setting for learning to ski in relation to motor learning and anxiety than THE SS.